Kegan Johannes blames poor prep for SA junior team’s failures

Johannes led what looked a promising and talented side into the Olympic Games qualification last year, but coach David Notoane’s charges were unable to progress.

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A few months prior the u20 side also fell short and did not make it to the AFCON held in Egypt early last year.

Speaking on the sidelines of a collaboration between SuperSport and Huawei, the 23-year-old put this down to a poor planning.

''Honestly for me it is all about preparation, I don't think as a country we prepare well for these big tournaments. Usually when there's an AFCON qualifier, we get assembled a few weeks before the tournament but with other countries they assemble months before,'' said Johannes.

South Africa defeated Togo in the first round of the qualifiers, but then lost on the away goal rule against Congo.

The club versus country war between the PSL and SAFA meant the players only got together during the official FIFA break, but Johannes argues Notoane was already on the backfoot by then.

''It is important to meet when there's an international break to get  that cohesion amongst each other, it is difficult to just meet two weeks before and hope for good results,'' added Johannes.

The next step now for Johannes is to try and impress Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos and break into the senior team.

He says he will be patient.

''I believe everyone is chosen on merit, for I will just keep on working hard - If I trust in God my time will come,'' he concluded.

The defender, who can also play at right back, is on the Bafana mentor’s radar having played for the senior side in the COSAFA Cup two years ago.

Johannes admits he is chasing this “milestone”.